“Although this was never my intention I do see that my actions caused harm and for that, I apologize. No one should ever feel illegitimate, afraid, or unheard.” — Statement from Ward 3 City Councilor Shawn Oliver
Author Archives: Kellen Riell
Posted inCrime and courts
Addiction treatment chain operator charged with health care fraud
RCCA and its operators allegedly shortchanged Rhode Island and Massachusetts substance abuse disorder patients out of needed counseling and treatment services, while defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurers out of millions, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Comments to The Light: Column, septic regulations, trade school education spark debate
Reader on city council gatherings: “Best to keep these meals short and leave quickly so as to not hang around and be tempted to ‘chat’ about ‘just one thing.’ Are they capable of doing this?”
Posted inBristol County Sheriff
Why so many prison suicides? Heroux turns to an expert
Sheriff Paul Heroux is consulting Lindsay M. Hayes, one of the country’s foremost authorities on jail and prison suicide who has been studying federal, state and local correctional systems for more than 40 years.
Posted inElection 2023
Oliver tops Amaral in race for Ward 3 city councilor
Shawn Oliver, who has served as a New Bedford constable for a little more than a year, attributed the result largely to legwork in the ward, starting when he took out his papers in early December to seek the office.
Posted inElection 2023
City Council candidate under fire for ‘hateful’ and ‘extremist’ Facebook posts
Shawn “Oliver’s public social media posts are disrespectful, hurtful, perpetuate harmful stereotypes, and promote intolerance and division.” — Carmen Amaral, Oliver’s opponent in Tuesday’s Ward 3 election
Posted inCity Hall
New Bedford city councilors lash out at ‘elitist’ mayor
“It’s unfortunate that certain councilors have resorted to name calling and generalized insinuations” about how the administration has worked with the council, rather than deal “with the merits of the proposals,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said.
Posted inCrime and courts
How the $75,000 Whaling Museum thefts went down
Robert Burchell had a long history of addiction, debt, arrests and jail stints. Then the museum hired him as a “facilities associate.”
Posted inElection 2023
Sizing up the two City Council candidates in New Bedford
Both candidates bring to the race considerable personal appeal, compelling personal stories, and a grasp of city affairs. Neither of these candidates has run for office before; each attributed their success in the preliminary election to the work of meeting voters, often at their doorsteps.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Comments to The Light: Congratulations pour in for Morales — ‘An amazing story of perseverance’
Reader: “She’s a clear example of Latinos who come to improve themselves and help the country’s economy. I feel proud of her.”